A jury found a Vermont woman charged with attempted murder after trying to slit a Rutland police officer’s throat not guilty.
According to the Times Argus newspaper, Jennifer Berube was acquitted of attempted second-degree murder and attempted aggravated assault.
WCAX noted that the jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning the not guilty verdicts on Friday.
In 2012, the 40-year-old was caught on surveillance video from inside the station sneaking up behind Officer Damon Nguyen and attacking him with a 2-inch blade.
Nguyen had to be treated at a hospital after Berube cut his jugular vein.
Her defense lawyers argued that their client was only trying to scare the officer, not kill him.
Several people have said that they are surprised and disappointed with the verdict including the town’s Mayor Christopher Louras.
"I'm shocked and dismayed, quite frankly, not just by the verdict but by the disappointment I feel on behalf of members of the police department," he said. "I'm not convinced justice was served in this case."
Berube was facing life in prison had she been convicted